Reality of India's women: Acid attack victim has no funds for treatment

Karaikal: Over a month after she was subjected to a brutal acid attack by a man who had been stalking her, a 23-year old Puducherry woman is strugging for funds to meet her treatment expenses.

Vinothini, a software engineer, suffered serious burns on her face that led to her completely losing her eyes. The burns on her face were so severe that her eyes - corneas and eyelids - were compeletly burnt and removed. Her eyes have now been been closed with muscle tissues harvested from her legs.

The woman, who was employed in a firm in Chennai, suffered the brutal attack on 14 November when Suresh (24), who had developed an obsession with her, threw acid on her while she was on her way to a bus stand along with her father.

Representational image: Reuters

Vinothini who also suffered burns on her face and hands as well as the upper part of the body is in need of funds for further treatment. Her father, an ordinary security guard at a school in Karaikal, is struggling to meet the medical expenses.

Surgeons have opined that she requires prolonged hospitalisation, treatment and plastic surgery.

Her relatives have said that the girl is in pain and has been screaming, asking why people were taking steps to save her. She is now being fed only with liquid food.

At the initiative of Karaikal South MLA AMH Nazeem, Rs 25,000 has been contributed from the DMK's party funds for the treatment.

Nazeem and human rights organisations have appealed to Chief Minister N Rangasamy to bear the medical expenses and also announce compensation to her family.